The Truth Behind Amnesia
PSY 1335
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
In popular books and movies, amnesia is often depicted in dramatic, yet unrealistic ways — whether it's the daily memory loss in "50 First Dates" or the quick recovery of highly specialized skills in "The Bourne Identity" — but these fictional representations often fall short of capturing the true complexity of this condition and how memory works in real life. In this course, we will read neuroscience and cognitive psychology research articles as well as patient reports to explore the real causes, brain damage, and symptoms associated with different types of amnesia. We will discuss what types of memory are intact and impaired in different cases and what these profiles reveal about the underlying neural functioning and the patient’s abilities. We will then use this foundational knowledge to critique portrayals of amnesia in books, movies, and television shows and consider how the misconceptions these stories perpetuate can have negative repercussions for science. For the final project, you will write a script or short story that both accurately and compellingly portrays amnesia.
Recommended Prep
The Psychology Department requires completion of Science of Living Systems 20 or Psychology 1 or the equivalent of introductory psychology (e.g. Psych AP=5 or IB =7 or Psyc S-1) and at least one foundational course from MCB/NEURO 80, PSY 11, PSY 14, PSY 15, PSY 16, or PSY 18 before enrolling in this course; or permission of instructor.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
